Ruth Stark Parmenter was first hospitalized when she was only 4 years old, and it was at this time that she began to appreciate the value of books and the library. Although she came from a family of readers, books were a special way for Ruth to escape during those considerable lengths of time when she was ill. When Ruth passed in 2009, her family contacted the Metropolitan Library System about leaving a gift in her name.

The Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue, swings into the new year with the continuation of its popular “Noon Tunes” series of live music performances. Everyone is invited to bring a sack lunch or purchase something from the First Edition Café located in the library and relax with some good music. The program is free and open to all. All performances are on Thursdays from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Oh, what a beautiful building, is the Patience Latting Northwest Library, Oklahoma City, emphasizing its cornstalk and oil well heritage in stunning stack end panels and a majestic separation between the stacks and the quiet reading area.

What do TV talent shows have that Ralph Ellison doesn’t have? Other than condescending judges, nothing. What does the talent show at the library have that TV doesn’t? The excitement of seeing new talent perform live.

The Ralph Ellison Library and Michael C. Washington present “A Young People Entrepreneurs’ Talent Show” at the library, 2000 N.E. 23rd Street, on Saturday, November 24 starting at 11 a.m.

They are not quite human, but they are relatives of humans. They thrive on the safety and comfort of their homes, but they can be talked into having adventures. They live in burrows under the ground, and they are about to become movie sensations. They are hobbits.

Go beyond the familiar tales of Middle-Earth, “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” when the Southern Oaks Library re-discovers Tolkien’s enchanting Father Christmas Letters on Wednesday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m. A discussion of the letters and their meaning will be led by Janet Croft from the University of Oklahoma. The library is located at 6900 S Walker. Call 631-4468 for program details.